Board seeks community input on high school

MIDDLETOWN -- The Board of Education is seeking more community input on plans for a new high school, scheduling its second public meeting since the original high school plan was rejected by voters in June.

AMY L. ZITKA

Published
12:00 am EDT, Thursday, October 3, 2002

Residents will have a chance express their opinions about a high school and vocational-agricultural center project today at 7 p.m. in the Van Buren Moody School gymnasium at 300 Country Club Road.

"The public session give voters the opportunity to express their ideas regarding the high school," School Supt. Carol Parmelee-Blancato said. "The community will be able to speak to the board on its pros and cons."

Voters rejected by a 2-1 margin a $91.5 million plan to build a new high school and vo-ag center on an East Street site. An opposition group, Citizens for a Sensible High School Location, petitioned to get a question on the November ballot to consider looking at the Long Lane property owned by Wesleyan University. The petition failed because of a lack of valid signatures.

Now the Board of Education is staring its journey over again to determine what the community wants for a new high school and its location.

"The board would like to get as much community input as possible," Parmelee-Blancato said.

Board of Education Chairwoman Sally Boske agreed.

"We are interested in what they have to say," she said.

At the first public meeting on Sept. 25, Parmelee-Blancato said the "community was most appreciative" of being allowed to give its input.

Residents were happy the board had an open meeting, Boske said, adding there were about 50 in attendance.

"It was not a debate," she said. "We wanted to hear their opinions."

"The overall message was they want us to talk to Wesleyan," Boske said. Those in attendance believed the Long Lane property, currently housing the state Long Lane School female juvenile facility, was the ideal location for a high school. No other suggestions were made that night.

"They want us to at least talk with Wesleyan," Boske said. "So, we'll talk with Wesleyan."